Health Professions Admissions Process
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have questions that are not answered below, or you would like further information regarding our Health Professions programs at SUNY Orange, please attend one of our Health Profession Information Sessions or contact the Admissions Office.
Why did I get a letter about being accepted to a Liberal Arts program?
Any applicant to a Health Profession program who is not a current SUNY Orange student will receive two seperate decision letters, one accepting them to the college, and a second letter regarding their admission status to the program.
What is the Alternate List?
The Alternate List is reserved for students who have met the minimum eligiblity requirements for the program, but due to the high volume of qualified applicants we are unable to offer them a seat in the program. In the event that someone who was accepted to the program declines their seat the Admissions Office will reach out to individuals on the Alternate List to offer them a seat. Once the semester begins the alternate list is discarded. If you are on the Alternate List and not offered a seat in the program you are encouraged to apply again for the following admissions cycle.
Students offered a seat off of the Alternate List will receive a call from admissions. All students on the Alternate List receive a letter regarding their status on the list prior to the start of the semester.
Is it true that there’s a 2-3 year waiting list to get into any of the health programs?
No. There are no waiting lists for our health programs. However, we often get more qualified applicants than we have seats for each program so select candidates may be placed on the Alternate List. The Alternate List consists of qualified applicants, and if seats become available before the semester begins, students are offered a seat in the program. Once the semester begins, alternate groups no longer exist.
Do I have to be attending SUNY Orange to be considered for the health programs?
No. A health professions program applicant does not have to be attending OCCC in order to be eligible for any of the health programs.
Will all my college credits transfer to SUNY Orange?
SUNY Orange will transfer a maximum of 30 credits from another institution if the coursework was completed with a grade of "C" or better and will only transfer if they are applicable to the degree program and if there are equivalent courses at SUNY Orange. Please visit the Registrar's page for more information on transfer credit.
How long will it take for me to finish my health degree?
From the point of entry into any of the health programs, a student can expect to finish their degree in 2 yrs, as long as all the required courses have been completed with a "C" or better.
Would any of my past college credits be too old?
All courses are considered valid if transferred from an accredited college or university, however for the health programs, if a student is transferring a science course that is more than 5 years old, or Psychology more than 10 years old (Nursing only), he/she will be asked to retake the course.
Will I still be considered if I take all my pre-requisites at another college?
Yes. However, the courses must be the equivalent to the SUNY Orange course in order to transfer.
Please refer to the transfer credit database for a general idea of what courses might transfer in as credit.
What if I don’t get in this year, can I still apply for next year?
Yes. A student can apply every year by submitting a new Program Application by the February 1st (fall programs) or October 1st (spring programs) deadline. Previous admissions decisions for health profession programs do not have an impact on future admissions decisions.
When calculating my GPA, do you consider all of my transcripts?
Applicants must submit an official transcript from each institution they have attended, regardless of whether or not credits were previously transferred from one institution to another. We look at a student’s complete collegiate history.
Does life experience increase my chances of being accepted?
Though life experience may help you in the clinical aspect of the health programs, we do not consider it during the application process.
If I am currently working in the field for which I am applying, do I still need to take the pre-requisite courses?
As far as the Admissions office is concerned, every student applying for a health program must meet the pre-requisite requirements. Any exceptions to this policy would be at the Department Chair’s discretion.
I’m an LPN and would like to be an RN; can I do that at SUNY Orange?
Please consider applying for the LPN to RN program.
I am not a resident of Orange County but am interested in a health professions program. Realistically speaking what are my chances?
Your county of residence has no bearing on your admissions decision.
Can I start a health program in January (spring semester)?
The only program that begins in the Spring semester is our day-time Newburgh Nursing program. Once you are accepted into a nursing program, you may not switch between day and evening or spring and fall or Middletown and Newburgh. Students are encouraged to enter college as soon as possible to start taking pre-requisite courses.
As a Nursing applicant, do I need to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)?
Yes. Nursing program applicants must take the ATI TEAS within 2 years prior to the application deadline.
What is the average credentails for applicants who have been accepted into a Health Profession Program?
Admission collects data outlining the average cerentails for all of our Health Profession Programs. To access the current Health Profession Profile, please visit the link below:
